"No, no..."
"Your face is so red." As she spoke, Efnir set down the suitcase, bent over, and climbed back into the car. Kneeling on the back seat, she leaned toward Yukina. "Let me see."
"I-I'm really fine!" Yukina curled backward like a squirrel. From her angle, her gaze happened to slip in through Efnir's neck as she crawled toward her on her knees, taking in every tantalizing glimpse exposed beneath her collar.
Only from this close did Yukina realize how tightly Efnir had bound her chest. Starting beneath her armpits, alarming dark-red marks ran straight across her skin, as though she had been cruelly pinched with all her strength. The snowy-soft flesh struggled to spill out, but only a little showed through.
Yukina stared without blinking, an involuntary gulp escaping her throat.
The next second, Efnir gently stroked her cheek.
"Do you feel anything?"
Yukina shook her head hard.
"Come a little closer." Efnir lightly hooked an arm around her neck, bringing their faces close enough that they could even feel the warmth of each other's breath.
But Efnir did not use her forehead to check Yukina's temperature like last time. She merely pressed the back of her hand against it.
Efnir's hand was soft and smooth. That alone made it far too unsuitable for a boy.
"Feels... okay...?" After checking Yukina's forehead, Efnir wore a doubtful expression.
"Sis... I'm really fine..."
"Hmm..." Efnir pondered for a moment, then suddenly gave her a subtle look.
"Yukina, don't tell me... you were thinking improper things while I was changing?"
"Huh??" Yukina froze, panic instantly rising in her chest. "Sis, wh-what are you talking about!!!"
But as if betraying her, Yukina's face instantly turned scorching hot again. Seeing Efnir's wary gaze, she suddenly felt the urge to jump out of the